Arlington Park And Revenues For The State

HOMEWOOD — As a legislator from southern Cook County, I have been closely following the efforts of northern Cook County officials to assure that Arlington Park Racetrack is rebuilt on its traditional site. Since I represent an area that has suffered more than its share of economic dislocation, I am sympathetic to the concerns of those who do not want to lose the racetrack and the revenue it generates for area businesses and government.

The loss of a thoroughbred racetrack would hardly have the same economic impact on northern Cook County that the loss of heavy industry has had on southern Cook County. But it would still be significant. The racetrack had a $7 million payroll in 1984. In hotel and motel costs alone, racetrack customers pump $7 million into the local economy every year. The park pays nearly $16 million annually in local and state taxes.

In all, it has been estimated that if Arlington Park does not reopen, $73 million a year would be drained from the state`s economy. That figure is based on the presumption that Arlington race dates could be transfered to an existing Chicago-area racetrack. If the races move out of state, the loss would be even greater.

Because the fate of Arlington Park rests in part on the action the state may take in the coming weeks, it becomes a political question that once again illustrates the need for suburban legislators to work together on issues of shared concern. Whether the issue is a thoroughbred horseracing track, state school aid formula, a ``Build Illinois`` project list or planning for a regional airport south of Chicago, lawmakers from suburban areas are effective only when they can build coalitions.

As a legislator, I have watched as coalitions of Downstate and Chicago representatives have successfully advanced their agendas. They are successful because they are not afraid to work together on shared interests and to negotiate with one another to develop a package that is acceptable to a majority.

Suburban legislators need to set aside parochial concerns and work together on developing an agenda for our region. We need also to recognize that the fate of the suburbs is tied to Chicago`s. There will always be competition between the two areas, but the suburbs cannot prosper if the city decays.

A suburban coalition working with legislators from Downstate and from Chicago to build a majority can win more for our area than any individual legislator can ever hope to accomplish. I support the drive to retain Arlington Park in suburban Cook County and I hope that it is only the first of many such cooperative efforts among suburban lawmakers.